The Midmark 626 Barrier-Free® Examination Chair is the only chair to meet and exceed requirements
Exam room equipment can make a crucial difference. For clinics looking to improve patient access and caregiver safety, accessible healthcare environments are essential.
In September 2024, the US Access Board, which provides guidance for accessible design and standards for accessible medical diagnostic equipment (MDE), ruled that examination and procedure chairs should be compliant to a low seat height of 17 inches. However, the board says of the adjustable-height examination tables it reviewed, over 75% have a low height of 18-19 inches.
The new standards from the US Access Board were issued under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Some of the core requirements focus on the features that directly aid patients during the transfer onto and off of the exam equipment. For example, examination chairs must provide multiple height settings to help ensure an easy transfer for patients of all mobility levels as well as compliant transfer supports like the Midmark Patient Support Rails that are designed to provide patients with stability while entering, exiting or repositioning on the exam chair.
According to August Boehnlein, associate marketing manager, Midmark Medical, these new standards place greater responsibility on the manufacturer as well as the distributors.
“Healthcare facilities rely on distributors and manufacturers for equipment guidance, so being knowledgeable about these new accessibility standards is essential,” he said. “Both manufacturers and distributors who understand these requirements are definitely better positioned to support clinics in selecting compliant equipment.”
Better patient care quality and inclusivity
For clinics, meeting these standards means enhancing patient care quality and inclusivity. Caregivers can improve the overall patient experience by investing in compliant equipment. They can also reduce the risk of injury during patient transfers and potentially avoid future legal liabilities, according to Boehnlein.
“The Department of Justice is enforcing the 2017 Access Board Standards, requiring a 17-inch to 19-inch low transfer height range. However, the Department of Justice is considering adopting the 17-inch low seat height in the near future,” he said. “Clinics have a bit of a grace period but are encouraged to start updating their equipment as soon as possible. When purchasing, they should consider the life of their equipment and the changing regulatory landscape.”
Boehnlein encourages clinics to partner with informed manufacturers and distributors who understand these new standards.
Today, the Midmark 626 Barrier-Free® Examination Chair is the only chair on the market that meets and exceeds the 2024 US Access Board low seat requirement.1 It has a wide adjustability range from 15-and-a-half inches to 37 inches in height that allows for a comfortable and safe experience for patients and a more ergonomic height for caregivers.
“The design of the 626 is a prime example of how Midmark anticipates regulatory changes in the market and continues to focus on accessibility and safety needs of the patients,” Boehnlein said.
SOURCE:
1 US Access Board. (2024, July 25). Standards for accessible medical diagnostic equipment. Federal Register, 89(143), 47823-47839. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/07/25/2024-16266/standards-for-accessible-medical-diagnostic-equipment